NEWSCENTER 5 AT 6:00. MARIA: NEW ON 5, WORCESTER POLICE RELEASING NEW INFORMATION ABOUT -- THIS PERSON WAS ARRESTED AFTER A BRIEF CHASE AT A CONSTRUCTION WORKSITE IN FORT LAUDERDALE. HE IS ACCUSED OF BEATING A WOMAN TO DEATH TWO YEARS AGO. THE VICTIM’S BODY WAS FOUND INSIDE HER HOME. SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF A YOUNG SON WHO WAS NOT INSIDE THE

A man wanted in connection with the 2017 murder of his estranged girlfriend has been arrested in Florida, according to the Norfolk District Attorney's Office and the Massachusetts State Police. Cornel Bell, 48, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and Florida police officers following a brief pursuit at a Dania Beach construction site Wednesday morning.State police said troopers with the MSP Violent Fugitive Unit and homicide detectives in the District Attorney's Office developed a tip that Bell was working at the construction site. They worked together with the U.S. Marshals for over two years to find him.Over the course of the investigation, authorities discovered that Bell, who was believed to be originally from Jamaica, had previously used numerous names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers in past encounters with law enforcement and had fraudulently obtained several driver’s licenses with different aliases. In addition to the murder warrant, investigators determined that Bell was the subject of three other warrants under an alias for assault, robbery and firearms offenses. Bell was indicted in October 2017 on a charge that he killed 33-year-old Michelle Clarke in Weymouth.On Aug. 19, 2017, police said they were called around 4 a.m. by a friend who expressed concern for Clarke's safety. Officers responded and found her dead in her Lake Street apartment.Officials said Clarke had a then-6-year-old son who was staying with family members at the time and was not in the home.“We released the model and registration of a dark blue pickup truck he was believed to be driving, and that vehicle was eventually located abandoned in the Miami area,” said Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey in a statement. “Florida has been a focus of our investigation and search, but has it has included other areas as well.” Weymouth police, Ft. Lauderdale police, Coral Springs police and the Broward County Sheriff's Department assisted in the investigation, according to officials.Norfolk County prosecutors and state police will be working with Florida officials to arrange Bell's return to Massachusetts for arraignment in Norfolk Superior Court. The timing of his transfer will be announced when it is known.Jessica Trufant of The Patriot Ledger contributed to this report.

BOSTON —

A man wanted in connection with the 2017 murder of his estranged girlfriend has been arrested in Florida, according to the Norfolk District Attorney's Office and the Massachusetts State Police.

Cornel Bell, 48, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and Florida police officers following a brief pursuit at a Dania Beach construction site Wednesday morning.

Advertisement

State police said troopers with the MSP Violent Fugitive Unit and homicide detectives in the District Attorney's Office developed a tip that Bell was working at the construction site. They worked together with the U.S. Marshals for over two years to find him.

Over the course of the investigation, authorities discovered that Bell, who was believed to be originally from Jamaica, had previously used numerous names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers in past encounters with law enforcement and had fraudulently obtained several driver’s licenses with different aliases.

In addition to the murder warrant, investigators determined that Bell was the subject of three other warrants under an alias for assault, robbery and firearms offenses.

MSP VFAS Troopers and Tprs assigned to Norfolk DA worked w @USMarshalsHQ for over 2 years & today developed info that BELL may be in Dania Beach, Fla. Caught there today while he was doing construction work. Norfolk DA Morrissey to arrange rendition and prosecute. https://t.co/zGWEs43Q52

Bell was indicted in October 2017 on a charge that he killed 33-year-old Michelle Clarke in Weymouth.

On Aug. 19, 2017, police said they were called around 4 a.m. by a friend who expressed concern for Clarke's safety. Officers responded and found her dead in her Lake Street apartment.

Officials said Clarke had a then-6-year-old son who was staying with family members at the time and was not in the home.

“We released the model and registration of a dark blue pickup truck he was believed to be driving, and that vehicle was eventually located abandoned in the Miami area,” said Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey in a statement. “Florida has been a focus of our investigation and search, but has it has included other areas as well.”

Weymouth police, Ft. Lauderdale police, Coral Springs police and the Broward County Sheriff's Department assisted in the investigation, according to officials.

Norfolk County prosecutors and state police will be working with Florida officials to arrange Bell's return to Massachusetts for arraignment in Norfolk Superior Court. The timing of his transfer will be announced when it is known.